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5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6)

No, this is not an excuse for anyone to attend “Mt. Pillow Temple of Rest Worship Center” (I borrowed this from my friend and frat brother Dr. Christopher Wyckoff) or “Bedside Baptist Church” Sunday morning. Except for illness, inclement weather, lack of transportation, work schedule, or some other legitimate reason; I believe every Christian should attend worship somewhere on the Lord’s Day! If you had issues with a church that didn’t do right by you, pick another church. If you are away from home, chances are there is some church of your denomination or faith within driving distance. If you belong to a faith that frowns upon going to a different church and you know your’re going to be out of town and it is absolutely not feasible to go anywhere else but where your host is going to, talk with your minister ahead of time. But, a nonchalant attitude towards gathering with the saints together before God is inexcusable! For the church’s first 300 years, Christians risked being thrown to the lions and having their heads chopped off for meeting in catacombs. Christian slaves in America had to risk being discovered and beaten going to their “hush arbors.” Ethiopian and Eastern European Christians faced prison and torture when discovered worshiping in secret when communist ruled those countries as in China as we speak . And today, our brothers and sisters in Egypt, Syria, and other nations are coming together in churches that were bombed and gutted by fire by Muslims who have a skewed interpretation of their faith. And you are going to sit your mentally and physically healthy behind at home because “I don’t feel like going to church; I can read my Bible and pray at home; the church is full of hypocrites?” Staying away from church when you are capable of attending and calling yourself “Christian” makes you just as much of a hypocrite as the hypocrites who are in church.

At the home prayer corner

But, is going to church and religious conferences supposed to be the highlight of our faith? Though being a devout Jew and attending regular synagogue worship, Jesus declares that the greatest and most instrumental place one is to pray and spend time with God is in his own home and room. Worship in this place removes the element of hypocrisy as you are alone with no one to put on airs in front of. There is no one in the pulpit in front of you nor the pews among you to impress with or pressure you into acting holy. It is when we are one-on-one with God that we are able to wrestle with and overcome our sins. Notice that Jesus overcame Satan and committed Himself to the crucifixion not among the multitude that he taught on a mountain top nor in a synagogue. No, He was alone in the wilderness. Now, if you have a personal wilderness to go to, go ahead and do that. But, we all have a room in our homes we can go to. So, Go home.

Go home into your room and shut the door. The living room is where special guest are entertained. The family room is where loved ones enjoy TV and games. You have a cup of coffee with a neighbor in the kitchen. Any one can see and hear you in these places. Not everyone is allowed in your room. And when you shut the door behind you, you have created a place where you can show and say any and everything you want to before God. There are somethings you might not want to say and show in front of company, neighbors, or even family. There are things about all of us that we ought to be discrete about. It is not wise to tell everybody your business. Nor is it wise to deceive yourself that you don’t have any issues to bring before God. It doesn’t take a Ph.D to have that kind of wisdom. Discretion is common sense. And even in those traditions where confessions are made before a priest or minister, what good is it to practice the public sacrament without seeking God in private for His direct holy solution? And even if you can speak in tongues and interpret everyone else’s, what good is it if you don’t talk to God and hear from Him for yourself by yourself? And sure, you can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and imprisoned. As Christians, we are supposed to do these things. But, what good is it to meet the physical needs of others and ignore your spiritual needs? You should keep doing the one without ignoring the other. So, go home.

God rewards those who come to Him in prayer at home. Of course Christians should come to Sunday morning worship. It is good for believers to attend various conferences, convocations, and the like. We ought to meet brothers and sisters from other places, exchange ideas, and hear from and be inspired by other speakers. But, trying to sell these events as the greatest thing we can ever attend is over-reaching. Chances are that if one church group has a conference that will “take you to the next level,” some other group will have a convocation that will “birth you to a new breakthrough.” While churches, denominations, and fellowships of all stripes bombard the faithful with slick advertisements of “life changing” gatherings; Jesus directs us to the most significant place to meet God and promises that if we do so as He directs, we will receive far more than tote bags and wrist bands that we can show to the folks back home. Go home to your room and closed the door. The Father in heaven may give a few glimpses of Himself in the convention centers. But, the Father IS in the secret place. He who comes to Him in secret will be openly rewarded. Attend a conference if you can. Attend Sunday worship as you should. But, in the words of Public Enemy, don’t believe the hype about how “The Anointed Voices of the Rem-ah Mass Choir, The Shabbach Praise Team, and Fire Baptized Agape Preached Word from First Presiding Prelate His Holiness Apostle Bishop Pookie Pook will give you an Overflowing Shondo Birthed Blessing that will Take You To The Next Level!” Go to church. Go to a conference. Do good to those who are less fortunate. Go home to your room and pray as instructed.

This is my first Orthodox Lent and I can safely say that I have NOT been perfect. I had two meat-eating episodes (Western Christian Easter and my Pastoral Anniversary), a couple of egg/dairy incidents, and I haven’t developed the habit of reading every last ingredient in the stuff I eat. Due to distance from the nearest Orthodox Church, I have made only one Akathist so far. But, I have put my Jordanville Prayer Book to good use. While I have been blessed with a few more victories over my personal demons have had my share of falls (and maybe someone else’s too).

I will confess that most of my spiritual failures begin with despondency. My financial picture coming out of a winter where I am, essentially, laid off for two weeks in the winter looks like a bus accident. Only by the grace of God do my wife and I manage to keep food in the house. My pastoral salary covers almost all of the mortgage. But, the utilities, medical bills, and old credit cards never seem to go away. So, yeah, loosing heart is very easy for me to do. Sleeping alone might be alright for a virgin monk. But, I am a married man who kinda misses the good old days (and nights) with the wife. Add to that any number of other things that go wrong in my life, and I will throw a my own mental whine and cheese party with the finest Zinfandels and Gorgonzolas.

So, yesterday morning, I was listening to Fr. John Whiteford’s sermon on despondency and found the most effective tools for fighting against this toxic root of so many other sins. Prayer and constructive labor. Fr. John brought up St. Anthony’s struggle against despondency. The answer to his prayers was how his neighboring monks would weave baskets for a while, stop to pray, and resume their labor. I am also reminded of my grandfather-in-law, Rev. Carter R. Wicks*. When he wasn’t doing something directly related to his pastoral or secular duties, he spent many spring and summer evenings in his backyard garden. He used to tell me that was one of his favorite ways to relieve the stress of the world on his mind, think about the mercy of God, and put food on the table at the same time. In the years I was blessed to know him, I have never seen him discouraged and ready to throw in the towel about anything. The wisdom of the great saint, an old Baptist preacher, and a Othodox convert priest made more sense to me than spending my day off wallowing in my sorrows.

I wound up borrowing a push mower from my church to get my yard cut. Pacing back and forth made me re-think about how the Lord is making a way for me to get through my troubles. I also began to ponder how I can use my talents and skills to make a little money on the side until I can get the full employment I want. And if it fails, I know that He who has made a way for me before will do so again. Our Lord’s words from the Sermon on the Mount became clearer to me:

Therefore, do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)

After planting the garden, I sat back on the porch with an iced tea thinking about how to restart my outdoor photography business and promote my secular writing for profit (turned out that I had a little more than I thought). As I do constructive things, I don’t have time to feel despondent. Yeah, I guess I could use one of the simple “catch-phrase” formulas to get me over the blues. “PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens)” or “Speak life to every dry bone in your life” or whatever else is being said by some ministerial celebrity or another. And if any of these things has helped you or someone you know overcome despondency, let God be praised. But, the advice of St. Anthony, “Uncle Red,” and Fr. John has made a major difference in my journey.

*Among the books that I inherited from Grandpa Wicks is a Russian Orthodox Bible, written in Slavonic (I think). Fr. John Whiteford is ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia). I wonder if “the old man” knew something he didn’t tell me before he died.

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to Go the things that are God’s.”

Matthew 22:15-22

No matter what political view you may have, please go and exercise your right and duty to vote for the candidate of your choice. Do not let victory go to your head nor loss to your heart. Instead, focus on the real aim of our existence as Christians. That is to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

“This is the bread which came down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”

John 6:58

Let us be in prayer for all who live in the path of Hurricane Sandy. Thanking God that the Tsunami didn’t greatly affect Alaska and Hawaii. I wish I had spent a little more time (and money, if I had it) at the Newport News Greek Festival yesterday. Spinakopida is sooooooo good!

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he rested from all His works God began to make.

Genesis 2:3

Fr. James Purdie of St. Basil pointed out that the first full day after God made man, He rested. I am sure, at least, one of the great church fathers or mothers pondered this and came up with something far more meaningful than what I am about to preach this morning.

Very soon, I will have another blog. My church has decided to have a website and I find Wordpress.com an effective and cost-effective tool. Plus, the response to the Pamunkey Baptist Association site has been positive as well. I will post my sermon notes here and on the upcoming site. But, I will continue making a chronicle of my Orthodox journey here.

Saturday was the funeral for my colleague, Dr. Leo Wagner. Before his death, I shared with him my interest in Orthodox Christianity. He was enthusiastic about my pursuit as we African-Americans have little exposure to the ancient faith. He was aware of the role Africans played in helping to form the church’s doctrine and told me that he looked forward to hearing how or what Orthodoxy could contribute to our churches. I pray that he is watching my journey with Athanasius, Cyprian, Mary of Egypt, and all of the other saints from all corners of the faith.

Praying birthday blessings to my wife. In her illnesses, Brenda has taught me more about life than perhaps if she were well. I would like the thorns of MS and bipolar disorder be miraculously removed from her. But, the grace of God is sufficient.

CONFESSION & DISCIPLESHIP

Luke 5:1-11

(Introduction) Peter showed great faith in letting Jesus teach from his boat and then go out and fish after an unsuccessful night (vv. 5-7)

(antithesis) The miracle and simply following Jesus afterward is not what made Peter a disciple

(thesis) Peter’s confession was the pivotal point that endeared him to Jesus (and the astonishment of his companions vv. 8-10)

(propositional statement) There can be no true discipleship without true confession

(relevant question) What makes true confession so crucial to following Jesus?

(points)

Confession identifies the mercy of Christ as the source of our blessings (v. 8)

Confession puts us in a state of humility (v. 8)

Christ confirms confessors (v. 10)

(conclusion) If we short-change God on our confessions, we short-change ourselves from the fullness of walking with him

I am back in the pulpit this morning. I thank God for my friends, Rev. Randolph Graham and Rev. Keith Lewis, who preached in my place and for my college buddy Dr. Wayne Weathers, for his stirring Homecoming message. We were blessed to have the word of God delivered by Dr. Vincent Smith, Dr. Reginald Davis, Min. Marlene Fuller, and Pastor Willie Barnes for our revival services.

Again, I am most grateful to Fr. David Arnold and the St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church (OCA) and Fr. James Purdie and the St. Basil the Great (Antiochian) Orthodox Church for the wonderful Divine Liturgy, hospitality, and friendship. Had I not known Christ or had been a nominal Christian, I would have asked to be a catechumen. But, I must remain where I am until the Lord calls me to do otherwise (besides, gas cost too much for me to drive all the way out to Powhatan or Poquoson).

Yes, we had a great revival at Trinity Baptist Church. Now that we have been revived, let us follow Jesus more closely!

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”

John 1:43

It is “Revival Season” among the Baptist churches in our county. We will have ours next week. As I was thinking about a theme for us, I couldn’t help but to think of how many of us get caught up in the emotion of the singing and sermons of the week only to fizzle out once when September rolls in. I pray that worshipers will understand that we are revived to follow and not just to “have church.”